Help identifying

[Bgerha]

Recently received this camera. I have never tried LF photography and don't know much about it. Any help would be appreciated. It came with a Conley safety lens/shutter but one of the shutter blades are broken.

92045
9204692047

[Steven Tribe]

I don't think you will ever find out who made this.
Oak is not a timber used by commercial camera makers in the "drop bed/box " era (1890-1910). However it is very well made, so it may include parts (box?) that come from a commercial camera that has lost/damaged its bed and front standard.

[Bgerha]

Thanks for the response and I believe you are right about the box being from a different camera. I had noticed random holes in the box. What type of camera were these ? Wet plate, dry, sheet...?

[Steven Tribe]

Originally glass plates. Most common size for these was 4x5".

The box may be from a Century, Seneca, Poco or Premo camera - or another US maker.

[Bgerha]

92111 you think it would be a 4x5? Lens/shutter says 5x7.

[Bgerha]

The viewing glass also measures 5x7

[John Koehrer]

With the GG being 5X7 that's the key.

Cool, if you have some basic woodworking skills you can make a reducing back to 4X5 for a less expensive learning experience or use paper negatives-----Standard printing paper.
A lens that is made for 5X7 like ours will still work for smaller formats too. The main difference is your lens will have greater coverage.
One thing to keep in mind is that focal length is constant from one film size to another. 150mm will always be 150mm regardless of film size. A lens designed for a smaller format won't necessarily cover a larger film size.

[Bgerha]

Thanks for the info! I need to find holders now ..

[Bgerha]

Also was it common for cameras to have built in levels back then ?